Metal receptacle.



F. SHAFFER.

METAL RECEPTACLE.

IIIPLIcArIoII FILED APII. 6. I9I5.

1215,72@` Patented Feb. 13,1917

i UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

FRANK SHAFFEB, F EVERETT, WASHINGTON, ASSI'GNOR T0 AH ERICAN GANCOMPANY,

A CORPORATION QF NEW JERSEY.

METAL BEGEPTACLE.

Specification or Letters Patent.- Pah gnted Feb, 13, 191,7.

Application ai'ed April e, i915. serial No. 19,541.

Tof all-whom t may concern.' 1

Be it known that I, FRANK SHAEFER, al

citizen of the United States, residing at A,

the successful canning, preservation' and Everett, in the countyY of Snohomish and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to can or container 'ends'for receptacles in which food or other products are to be preserved, and which have a useful function in and after the processing of the filled and closed cans and their contents to maintain a partialvacuum .within the can.

A principal object of the invention is to 4enable the cans to be filled with products which are of normal or atmospheric temperature and: which havel not been pre heated, and to be hermetically closed, and to be thereafter processed, with their con-- tents, in sealed condition.

Sellin of food .products ofnearly all descriptions that aspace be left within the can above or Within the food products, `which shallbe more or less of a vacuum (to a material degree) when the sealed can-and contents are at normal temperature,` inorder that small amounts of gases, which will be generatedeven in perfectly preserved foods, may be taken up in such partial vacuum without producing a swelling of the can heads.

It has been usual to attain this result in one of two ways. In the exhaust box process I the filled and open 4or unsealed cans are caused to pass slowlylandor a considerable period of time through a partly closed chamber to which steam is admitted. When the cans areY open, they receive drippings from the condensation on the interior of the -exhaust box, the food thus cooked in open cans is inferior in quality and color, the' apparatusv is expensive and requires muchY space and attention, it is costly in the consumption and waste if steam and the process except at the expense of a large amount of space and machine] y is not rapid. After the contents of the cans are thus heated and expanded the cans are hermetically sealed in such condition, and then processed or cooked for various lengths of time and al various temperatures accordingto the na ture of the product, and the contraction of.

thecontents on cooling is relied upon to produce the necessar y partial vacu um ii itliin the cans. If the cans have been filled too full no space or insufficient space is left within them on cooling. If they. have been insufficiently filled too much air, and consequently oxygen is sealed within the can, 4increasing the liability to the production ot 4 gases and metal salts, with change of color in the food products, from the combination of such oxvgen with the metals 'of the 4container 4or with constituents of the food product.

`In, the vacuum sealing process the can is sealed in a chamber which has beenrpractically exhausted of air, and 1s thereafter processed in the casi r of most products. The

'machinery lfor this purpose is costly, and ex'- 'pensive to operate; und the difficulties above mentioned arising from overlling the cans a're alsofexperienced. A

'By the use of my invention many or all of such difculties ished, many foods are preserved of better quality and color, ;he. process is rendered more rapid and the :ost of the same is much reduced.

ire overcome or dim'in'A The present invention consists in the construction of a portion of the-containerzpreferably the can end. by which I attainthe 'new result thatthf food product may be,

when cold or of-a1 mospheric temperature,

hermetically sealed within the container (the can ends being normally of inwardly4 beveled,`concaved -oi' dished form) and then processed `at-the desired temperature. Such iop heat'ing and expansion `of the can contents causes the said can ends to be outwardly ex, panded into more or less convex form. Upon` cooling, the said can ends will remain permanently expanded, though not ordinarily to the same extent as during the processing,`

thusl maintainingtl e interior of the can of an increasedv cubic capacity as compared with the ordinary sanitary or other cans.,

the ends of which return to their normal inwardly concave form on cooling. Also the central portion or panel of my new can end, while permanently held or braced out beyond its original or normal position which it occupied when the can was sealed and before processing, will'itself resume a fiat or concave form showing that the can is not what is termed a swell, springer or fiipper. Such permanent holding or bracing out of the can end appears to be caused by the coaction of the central portion or panel with the outer annular panel or portion of the end, which mutually prevent each other from `returning inward past the transverse planeain which is situated the eXtreme outer supporting edge of the end, together with the rigidity which is imparted to it by the fastening of said edge to the body of the container; the internal pressure due to processing and which forced the can end onward past said plane (say about 27 pounds) having been greater than the external atmospheric pressure which tends to force the'can end inward when the can and contents become cool. The result is that a desired space and partial vacuum are formed within the cooled can. v A material advantagevresulting from the use of my invention is that cans may be entirely filled and nevertheless said space and partial vacuum will be formed, whereas with the ordinary can end no space would be left.

Such being the objects and nature of the invention I will proceed to describe the same with more particularity, having reference to `the accompanying drawingsV in which are illustrated means for carrying the in venti'oninto practical effect, without linnting myl improvements, in their useful applications, to" the particular constructions which, for purposes of example', havebeen delineated. In the said drawings Figure l is a'vertical sectional view of a can end and a portion of a can body, the said end being somewhat separated from the body in order to show its configuration more clearly, the said view embodying a form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional' View of the can or container filled and sealed, with the parts in the positions which they occupy before processing, which I hereinafter refer to as their original or normal positions.

Fig. 3 is a slmilar view of the container,

showing the parts in the position which they occupy immediately after the completion of the processing.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, with the parts in the position which they occupy after the container and contents have cooled to about 4normal or atmospheric temperature.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a vertical sectional view and a top plan view of a can end embodying another form of my invention. f

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates the body of a can formed with a peripheral top flange 6, the said body and the double seam which unites it with the can ends, as herein illustrated, being of the usual sanitary can construction. The can cover and bottom '7, which are hereinafter referred to as the can ends, may be of any suitable peripheral form or configuration. They are herein illustrated as circular, that being the preferred form. The can end is provided at a point intermediate its outer annular portion' and its central portion with one, or more annular or circular bends panels or corrugations, the same forming a radially yielding and resilient portion 8. Immediately 'surrounding the portion 8 is an inwardly and downwardly inclined outer annular portion 9, which may be termed an inclined bevel. I may here state that this bevel need not be direct or'straight.. The extreme outer portion of the bevel might be horizontal for a small distance, then bending downward, so that the total or average inclination of the said bevel 9 would be about the same as that indicated of the straight bevel in Figs. 1 and 5. Immediately surrounding the bevel or downwardly inclined surface 9 is a substantially vertical annular wall 10. In the sanitary can construction illustrated the wall l0 extends vertically upward from the bevel 9 and thence l as shown at l I and l2, in a manner suitable for forming the double seam with the flange 6 of the can body. In a can of the hole and cap soldered construction the Wall 10 would extend vertically upward and then downward from the outeredge of the bevel 9 so as to slip over and be soldered to the unflanged end of the can body. Within the saidl yielding portion 8 is a central portion or panel 13. It will be understoodthat ,the foregoing description of can endrefers to itin its original or normal condition before it has been assembled with the can body.

The container having been prepared for the reception of a food or other product by seaming together the can body and the bottom-can end, the same is then filled toy the normal capacity of theV can. I may here state the ordinary difiiculties from overfilled cans are not usually encountered in the use of my invention, and consequently the container ma be filled to within a very short distanceV o its top edge. This is or may be done without prelheating of the nds outward and downward,

product, and the contents of the can are or ing on the top can end in a suitable closing machine,so as to be hermetically sealed, as

shown in Fig. 2. The sealed can with its contents is then subjected to the usual processing, at a suitable temperature, according to the nature of the contained product, such temperature ranging from about 212 to about 250, such processing continuing for a suitable length of time to cook or sterilize and expand the contents. The internal pressure within the container caused by this process will expand and distend outward the ends of the can, as best seen in Fig. 3.

After the container has been sealed as shown in Fig. 2 the parts 9, 8 and 13 will all be in substantially the positions as are' shown in Fig. 1, with the bevel 9 downwardly and inwardly inclined to a plane be# low thehorizontal transverse plane in which are located the eXtreme outer portions of the bevel 9, and the central portion or panel 13 will be below said transverse plane.

vThis latter plane is indicated by the dotted line :la` in Fig: 1. But immediately after the processing operation the positions of vthey bend'outward or hinge upon its line of junc tiony with the said vertical wall 10 and to pass upbeyond the plane a. This outward bending action carries outward the panel or central portion 13, the part 8 yieldirg slightly to permit the can end to pass the plane w. It will be understood that this descriptionI of one can end applies to both, the same action taking place in both the top and the bottom of the container.

The processed can is now allowed to cool, say to atmospheric temperature, whereupon the can ends will tend, by reason of atmospheric pressure thereupon and a partial vacuum in the can due to its increased cubic capacity, to resume their original inwardly bent, inclined or concave'conguration. `B`ut` this tendency is resisted by the bracing action of the now outwardly inclined parts 9 on or against the central panel 13, which may be assisted by the set which the metal of the cam end has taken at. the juncture of the part 9 with the vertical wall 10. The can ends will, however, partially collapse, the panels 13 assuming a flat or concave, in-

stead of a convex/configuration. This confV `figuration of the central panels indicates that the `can is not a swell but that its which is capable of taking up ases generated from t e sound and unspo' ed contents of the can.

So far as now known to me the proper held in -an outer position b ayond said plane upon several conditions.

I and described action of the: can end, in expanding outward across the transverse plane a: in which is located the eX treme outer edge ofthe can end, and then be ing permanently against atmospheric pressure resulting from a partial vacuum within he can, depends The annular beveled outer part of the end must be sufficiently wide, radially, so tl at its inner part shall have a movement, unc' er internal processing temperature, suilicient to enable it to have an inward and upward bracing action against the outer portion of the central panel or part; and it must not Je so wide as to reduce too much the rela1 ive diameter of said central portion or p1 event the latter from partially collapsing, individually, as described. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown relative proportions in ths respect which will operate successfully, in the manner described, at processing temperatures from about 212o to 2500. Also, for the best re.'- sults, the proportions of the end vary slightly accordingto the p1 ocessng `temperature to which'the can end is to be subjected. A can end having a relatively narrowkbeveled portion will operate at a temperature of 250 but not satisfactorily at 212", but such difference in width is: not necessaril in proportion to, such temp aratures. The proportions may also vary with can ends of different diameter: A larger can end may have a bevel of a little greater width, but such difference in width is not `necessarily that of a frustum of a cone, provided that it has the des :ribed action in maintaining the can of relatively greater -cubic capacity, after proc zssing, so as to cause a artial vacuum in the manner set forth. lso the radially :fielding` and resilient portion, bend or cor rugation mayV be of various forms fand thera may be one'or 120 more of such bends. But ca re must be taken not to havesaid portion to( yielding, or `the outer annular partl or -panel will not be able therelby to properly brace out the central pane While this container is designed to obviate the necessity for the use of expensive eX- hausty systems `or mechanic: .l means for obtaining vacuum, still itmay be used with any of these systems if so desired for any 55 sible portion comprising means whereby it in an outwardly expanded position afterV special purpose; With pre-heating exhaust systems added vacuum is thus obtained.

While the accompanying drawings illustrate what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various changes may be made inthe construction, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from scope of the invention as defined in .the appended claims.

The tin of the can end has a grain due to the rolling operation in its manufacture, and the central panel has a tendency to buckle or bend unevenly. Such buckling is prevented and the central panel 13 aided in bulging and collapsing evenly by the usual central bend 14 which may be of various forms, such as a small circular corruga` tion which may proJect `either inward as 1n Fig. l, or outward, or such as a small central panel, which in Fig. 5 projects outward. This is a feature known in the art.

It will be understood that the positions of the parts as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 are examples, and will vary with different temperatures of processing. If the'temperature is higher the parts may be more expanded and the collapse may be less, with a higher vacuum. v

When the can end is stamped out and formed the part 9 may be horizontal, and the part 9 may be given its downward angle or bevel, say of'8", by the inside lseaming chuck which closes and vdouble seams the can ends on to the can body, the' under side of this chuck being correspondingly beveled, or otherwise suitably shaped, to press down the can ends by bearing on the part 9 or on other suitable part or parts of the can ends.

What is claimed is 1. A container for products, a portion of Y y which is outwardly yieldable and expansible under internal pressure to increase the cubic contents of the container, the said expansible portion comprising means whereby 1t is held said internal pressure is removed, and against external atmospheric pressure, to maintain a partial vacuum within the container.

2. A container for products,a portion of which is outwardly yieldable and expansible under internal pressure to increase the cubic contents ofthe container, the said expanis held in an outwardly expanded position after said internal pressure is removed, and against external atmospheric pressure, to maintain a partial vacuum within the sealed container, the central part of said portion being partly collapsed inward.

is outwardly yieldable and ,expansible under internal pressure, after the containery is sealed and during the processing, to increase the cubic contents of the container, the'said portion having means whereby it is held in an outwardly expanded position after the vproduct has cooled and said internalpressure is removed, and against external atmospheric pressure, to maintain a partial vacuumv within the container.

4. A container for products, a portion of which is outwardly yieldable and expansible under internal pressure to increase the cubic contents of the container, the `said expansible portion having means wherebyV it is held in an Voutwardly expanded position after said internal pressure is removed, and against external atmospheric pressure, to

maintain a partial vacuum within the sealed container, said means comprisingouter and central panels united by a radially yieldable and resllient portion, the said central panel being partly collapsed inward;

5. A sheet metal can end having an annular vertical wall for abutting the vinner side of a can body when applied thereto, an annular portion connected directly with the lower edge of such wall and inclined inwardly and downwardly therefrom under the normal conditions of equal pressure above 'and below the top when the can top is attached to can body, thus forming an obtuse angle with the wall, saidtop having also a'central portion and an annular bend intervening the' latter and the outer or obtuse angle portion; `Lthe. angle of the wall and the contiguous inclined portion and also the bent portion surrounded by the latter both coperating as 'hinges to allow the cover to expand in processing, the cover thereafter retaining an expanded position, as shown anddescribed.

6. A sheet metal can top or cover having an annular vertical wall for abutting the side of a can` body, and an annular portion connected directly with its lower edge and normally inclined inwardly and downwardly from said edge, thus forming an obtuse angle with said wall, and an annular bend or corrugation which surrounds and joins directly with the inner edge of the inclined portion and constitutes a hinge when the can is proceed, as described.

7. A sheet metal can top having a combination of a. bevel forming an 'abtuse angle with the vertical wall of the can top, to be bent to an acute angle by processing; and a (':orrugated portion atfthe` lower extremity thereof which will lserve as a hinge between increased permanently.

8. A sheet metal can end with whereby the internal capacity of the. can is 3. A container for foodl products to be processed and preserved, a portion of which attaching l means at its outer edge, having a central portion connected to its outer edge by an inwardly and downwardly inclined bevel, which when the can end is Vattached to the can body is inclined inwardly and downwardly and is adapted to be forced up Wardly and outwardly by processing, deforming itself in a bulgedposition, bending the metal at the junction of itself and the lower edge of theV vertical wall of the can end, which acts as a hinge to allowY the can end to distend outwardly whereby the internal capacity-of the can is increased permanently.

9; A sheet metal can top having a central portion, a corrugated portion surrounding 1t and an inwardly and downwardlyin-.

clined beveled portion connected directly to the outer edge of the top and surrounding the said corrugationand which is so inclined inwardly and' downwardly when the top is applied to a can'body, and is adapted to be forced upwardly and outwardly by rocessing, the said central, corrugated, and eveled portions, all cooperating to support the can top permanently in a position dis tended relative to its position before processing, which distended position is maintained against the pressure due to a partial vacuum within the can.

10. A sheet metal can top having an annular vertical wall, and a portion connected directly to the lower e1 lge of said vertical wall and inclined inwardly and downwardly, under the normal conditions of equal pressure above and below the top, when the top is attached to a can body, and adapted to be forced upwardly and outwardly by internal p1 essure so that the metal is bent permanently at the junction of itself and said vertical wall, and a bent or corrugated portion at the inner edge' of the incline which serves as a hinge coperating with the inclined portion and with the angle which the inclinec portion forms with the vertical wall to supp )rt the can top in an expanded position after the can is processed, thus increasing the internal capacity of the can permanently, as shc wn.

In testimony whereof I allix my signa-Z ture in presence of two `vitnesses.

FRANK SHAFFER. 

